His nickname was "Mean" Gene Okerlund, but he was anything but.
Okerlund's name was all over social media Wednesday as wrestling fans mourned his death at the age of 76. Pro wrestlers and fans alike tweeted their memories of the late Hall of Famer.
Among them was Diamond Dallas Page, a close friend of Okerlund. 11Alive traveled to Atlanta to speak to Page, who described Mean Gene's love of the sport.
"(Gene) loved wrestling," Page told 11Alive. "He thought it was amazing what these guys could do in the ring and how they grabbed the emotions of the people."
Okerlund was a long-time interviewer for both the WWE and the Atlanta-based World Championship Wrestling. His TV spots with Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and others were often the most memorable moments of the program - something Page credits to Okerlund's genuine personality.
"That guy you saw in front of the camera was the same guy you see hanging at the bar, having a bite to eat or walking through the airport," Page said.
Page said it was "tough" when he first learned of Okerlund's death.
"I just had to take some breaths and let go," he said.
Page said there were so many fond memories he had of Okerlund, but the most important thing he wanted fans to remember was that "he was every guy."
"I want people to know not just that guy that they saw on TV, who was amazing, but I want them to know what a really amazing character and good friend he was outside of the TV," Page explained.
Online, pro-wrestlers like Steve Austin and Ric Flair echoed Page's sentiments. Austin called Okerlund "untouchable."